Thermoplastic Polyoxazolidinone Synthesis via Isosorbide and Monofunctional Regulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing thermoplastic polyoxazolidinones face challenges such as high costs, long reaction times, low chemoselectivities, and the need for expensive catalysts and solvents, which hinder their application in polymer processes requiring high thermal stability.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the reaction of a diisocyanate compound with a bisepoxide compound, in the presence of a catalyst and a monofunctional isocyanate or epoxide, using isosorbide diglycidylether as the bisepoxide, to form thermoplastic polyoxazolidinones with improved thermal stability and reduced reaction time, optimizing conditions for temperature and reaction time to enhance selectivity and reduce secondary product formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive catalysts and reactive polar solvents are used for oxazolidinone synthesis, then chemoselectivity improves, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovechemoselectivityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, sensitive catalysts and solvents with inexpensive, readily available alternatives. Specifically, it uses basic metal halides (like aluminum chloride, ferric chloride) and common solvents (dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride) that are economically viable for large-scale production while maintaining acceptable chemoselectivity through optimized reaction conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes reaction parameters including temperature ranges (0°C to reflux), reaction times (1-24 hours), and molar ratios of reactants to achieve high chemoselectivity without requiring expensive catalysts. The method systematically varies these parameters to maximize product yield and purity while minimizing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional synthesis methods are used for oxazolidinones, then chemoselectivity may be acceptable, but reaction time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovechemoselectivityVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves rapid chemoselective synthesis by optimizing temperature and reaction time parameters. Reactions are conducted at controlled temperatures (0°C to reflux) for shortened durations (1-24 hours), significantly faster than conventional methods, while maintaining high chemoselectivity through the specific combination of reagents and conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If polycondensation route is used for thermoplastic polyoxazolidinone production, then thermal stability improves, but reaction time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs chain group regulators (monofunctional isocyanates, monoepoxides, or monocarbamates) in preliminary action to control molecular weight and terminate chains during polymerization. This allows the polycondensation to proceed more efficiently with reduced reaction time while maintaining the thermal stability characteristics of the polyoxazolidinone structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses base catalysts (with pKb ≤ 9) as intermediaries to facilitate the polycondensation reaction between biscarbamates and bisepoxides. These catalysts accelerate the reaction rate, reducing process time while the chain regulators mediate molecular weight control, achieving both thermal stability and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Temperature

If Lewis acid catalysts are used with base catalysts for regioselectivity control, then thermal stability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidcatalyst system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the complex Lewis acid catalyst component from the catalytic system, relying solely on base catalysts (with pKb ≤ 9) to achieve both regioselectivity control and thermal stability. This simplification maintains the desired product properties while reducing catalyst system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process results in thermoplastic polyoxazolidinones with enhanced thermal stability up to 280°C, enabling efficient extrusion and injection molding while minimizing costs and side products, thus improving the material's performance and economic viability.

Implementation Method 1

the cycloaddition of epoxides and isocyanates seems to be a convenient one-pot synthetic route to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCycloaddition reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

in the presence of a catalyst (C) and a compound (D) in a solvent (E) forming an intermediate compound (F)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11427671B2Method for the production of thermoplastic polyoxazolidinone polymers
Publication Date: 2022.08.30 COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG

AI summary

A process for producing thermoplastic polyoxazolidinone, comprising the following steps: (i) Reaction of a diisocyanate compound (A) with a bisepoxide compound (B) in the presence of a catalyst (C) and a compound (D) in a solvent (E) forming an intermediate compound (F) and (ii) Reaction of a compound (G) with the intermediate (F) formed in step (i), wherein the bisepoxide compound (B) comprises isosorbide diglycidylether, wherein compound (D) is one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of monofunctional isocyanate and monofunctional epoxide, and wherein compound (G) is an alkylene oxide. The invention is also related to the resulting thermoplastic polyoxazolidinone.